it is 3:00 p.m. on the east coast, 12:00 noon out west. the inauguration festivities are in full swing here. on the national mall, if you're

just tuning in. thank you for joining us, i'm john berman. >> and i'm soledad o'brien. we're live in washington, d.c. for our special coverage of president barack obama's inauguration. >> it's great to be here. we are in the second term right now. it is official. barack obama has been worn? for the second term as president of the united states of america. the president took the oath of office with supreme court chief justice john roberts, here's how it went. >> please raise your right hand and repeat after me. i, barack hussein obama do solemnly swear. >> i barack hussein obama do solemnly swear. >> that i will faithfully execute. >> that i will faithfully execute. >> the office of president of the united states. >> the office of president of the united states. >> and will, to the best of my ability. >> and will to the best of my ability.

>> preserve, protect and defend. >> preserve, protect and defend. >> the constitution of the united states. >> the constitution of the united states. >> so help you god. >> so help me god. >> congratulations, mr. president. >> thank you, mr. chief justice, thank you so much. thank you, sir. [ applause ] >> hey. >> he'll do it all over again tomorrow at a public ceremony and give his second inaugural address. he is only the 17th president in u.s. history to make a second address. >> of course, vice president joe biden also took his second oath of office today. >> that i take this obligation freely. >> that i take this obligation freely. >> without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. >> without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. >> a and that i will well and faithfully discharge. >> and that i will well and faithfully discharge. >> the duties of the office on which i am about to enter. >> the duties of the office on which i am about to enter. >> so help me god. >> so help me god. >> congratulations. >> thank you.

>> his service was at the naval observatory. the vice president's official residen residence. supreme court justice sonia sotomayor did the swearing in. >> the president and vice president traveled to arlington national cemetery and together took part in the traditional wreath-laying ceremony. >> the vice president will also take the oath of office tomorrow in a public ceremony. >> we're expecting up to 800,000 people in washington, d.c. for the ceremony tomorrow. compared to four years ago, it's nowhere even close. already this weekend people have been flocking like those behind

us. like here at the national mall to celebrate. watch what happens as things come together. i had a chance to hang out with folks who were packing bags to give to service men and women overseas. excitement keeps building as we get closer to the inauguration ceremony. >> so much great work being done here and around the country. >> we want to head across town to find our dan lothian. dan, another historic moment right before noon in the blue room. >> that's right. it's because it's a constitutional requirement that the president takes the oath on this day. just before noon, so the president taking that oath in a private ceremony. surrounded by close family members and friends, the first lady, the first daughters, his sister, his mother-in-law and brother-in-law during that ceremony that lasted just about 30 seconds. and the big public ceremony will take place tomorrow at the capitol and this was a chance for the president in a private

ceremony at the swearing in here in the blue room. you saw and heard the president a few seconds ago, take a listen at the very end, after the president started greeting the first lady and the first daughters. >> thank you. dy it. i did it. >> so, leave it to the first daughters. the daughter sasha telling the president he didn't mess up. that's a reference to four years ago. when during that public ceremony they kind of stepped on some of the words, had to do a redo, that didn't happen this time around, soledad and john. >> what's the current status of this speech here. less than 24 hours ago to go until show-time? >> we're told the president is in the final moments of the wrapping the speech. he will be tweaking it until the time of delivery. this is something the president

has been working on for many hours. he'll be doing it long-hand. but the president's chief speechwriter working with the president. trying to tweak it. will be doing it until he deliver it is tomorrow. >> have they given any more details? hopeful, i've heard they'll talk about unity. which is going out on a limb and giving details. are you hearing more about it? >> those familiar with the president, remarks tell us we'll be looking at some broad themes here. the president will talk about the fact that the political system rather doesn't require those here in washington to settle all of their differences, they can look for areas of agreement. this is in stark contrast to what we heard the president say four years ago. when he came to washington hoping to change the way that washington worked. and then he ran into some of the realities on capitol hill. so a slightly different tone this time around. we expect that the president will talk about some of the challenges moving forward and how the public can get engaged to help push through his agenda.

>> dan lothian for us at the white house. thanks, dan. appreciate the update. if you're in washington and you want to come hang out with us. you can join the folks behind us. the crowd has been getting bigger and bigger and that's because the weather is perfect. we want to get to suzanne malveaux. she's out on the washington mall. i think she's literally smack in the middle of the crowd talking to folks who are excited. tell me about the folks you're talking to. >> i am smack in the middle of the crowd, soledad. the weather is gorgeous. california, california is in the house, we have a lot of families from california. this is the elliott family. were you here last go-round. >> yes, we were, my boys were four and six. >> four and six and you returned, what does this mean to you? >> this means a lot. it's history in the making. my children are part of it. i'm excited. they're always going to know that history is important. >> what is your name?

>> jalen elliott. >> you were here last time? >> yes, i was. >> do you remember anything about it? >> they locked down the roads. >> how old were you? >> four years old. >> you were just four? >> uh-huh. >> you're eight now, right? >> yes. >> what do you remember when you were four when you saw the president? >> did you scream? >> well, i did a funny dance. >> you did a funny dance? you must have been pretty excited, yeah? >> yes, i was. >> how do you feel about it a second time now that you're eight years old? >> i don't know. >> it feels good because i could like, really remember stuff. >> that's good. yeah, you get a second go-round. and you're sporting some gear. what's that hat all about? >> she just gave it to me. i don't know what it's all about. >> it's an obama hat. >> i'm going to talk to your brother. you know what the hat's all about, you've got a button as well. tell me what it was like last

go-round. >> it was special, it was emotional. because most people can't come. so i'm very blessed to at least come to see the president. >> that is so nice. and you came all the way from california, is that right? >> yes, ma'am. >> and what do you hope the president learns, what do you want the president to know? >> everything that he can. >> everything that he can. everything that he wants to know about. about the family. >> no guns at school. >> all right we got a message from one of the kids, no guns at school. soledad, we'll give it back to you, a lot of folks want to weigh in here, it's just a gorgeous day and they're very excited about tomorrow. >> and it's nice to see all the big crowds that are growing steadily. all right suzanne malveaux, thanks. barack obama's public swearing in ceremony tomorrow is going to coincide with another important event, the national observance of martin luther king jr.'s birthday. >> earlier 25today, president

obama and vice president biden traveled to the martin luther king jr. monument. >> mother person who was sut cut down. medger evers was shot. and you're the first lay woman, usually it's clergy who gives the invocation, they've told you three minutes does that make you anxious? >> three minutes. no, it doesn't. first of all, i'm just thrilled. i'm so honored to have been asked to deliver the invocation. to get it down to three minutes is going to be a little difficult for me. but i've gone through it and i think i will be successful. if not, perhaps they'll turn the mike off. i don't know. >> they'll play music loud and someone will haul you off the stage. ironically, it was 50 years ago that you were trying to get to the march on washington. >> that is correct. >> and you obviously could not. >> i was in boston, and had just

delivered a speech there. transportation was slow. i got to washington and could not get to the stage. it was so disappointing. and for years, heartbreaking. because i wanted so badly to be there and to represent my husband who had been killed in june. of '63. miracles happen. >> sometimes they take 50 years, but they happen. >> but here we are, almost 50 years later and i've been asked by president obama to deliver this invocation. and -- >> do you see this is sort of fulfilling a destiny? >> let's say it is, all right? and i accept that. because today we have many of the same concerns that we had then. perhaps not as much violence. but we still have violence. and i think it makes at least i hope it will make people think of the past and look at what they are doing today to change

things. it's a constant that's there. and i have been so blessed in all of my horror and the pain that my children have gone through, to have come this far. and i hope to be able to instill dignity and determination to move this country forward. in the three minutes that i have. i don't know if that's possible. n i'm going to give it a try. >> you said you want people to think about the past while you'll be speaking but what will you be thinking about as you gaze out over the crowd. you seem so confident? >> i think i will hold my grandmother close, near and dear to me. she was the one that set the standards for me to follow. and she always said darling, ask god to make you a blessing. and to me, this is what this is, an opportunity for me, an opportunity to let people know that medger evers gave his life

without wanting publicity and anything else. and here we are, 50 years later, with his being recognized through me and i am so thankful for that. >> the president will use lincoln's bible and the bible of dr. king as well on inauguration ceremony. and i always think of that as sort of, a cycle, right, in a way, a virtuous cycle, martin luther king jr., assassinated trying to create what i think to some may be small degree, has been realized in the election and inauguration the first black president of this country. >> well, you know, with the first election, i along with so many other people just broke down and cried and cried and cried. out of thankfulness, out of remembering what we had been through. and thinking about medgar and all those other people who gave their lives and gave so much that we don't even recognize any more. and hopefully, will begin to do

that in the very, very near future. >> myrlie evers-williams, we're looking forward to your three minutes, we can't wait. >> so am i. >> so great to see you. so a man who marched alongside martin luther king jr. during the civil rights era, congressman john lewis, he will be here, we will speak to him in just a moment. >> we're going to talk about what this inauguration means for him and also the challenges still ahead in the president's second term. [ tylenol bottle ] nyquil what are you doing? [ nyquil bottle ] just reading your label. wait...you relieve nasal congestion? sure don't you? [ nyquil bottle ] dude! [ female announcer ] tylenol® cold multi-symptom nighttime relieves nasal congestion. nyquil® cold and flu doesn't. ♪ ♪

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welcome back, everybody, this city is not only known for inaugurations, it is the place where martin luther king jr. gave his i have a dream speech during the march on washington, back in 1963. >> we're joined by the last living person who spoke on the program that day. congressman john lewis of georgia. he was number six on the program. dr. king was number ten. >> congressman lewis, i want before we begin to give our condolences, i know you lost your wife at the end of the year and we appreciate your time. >> thank you so much. we've been married for 44, a long time, 44 good years. >> well we appreciate you talking with us. and we want to talk a little bit about history as we asked ms. evers to stay with us as well. talk to me a little about a

secondterm. in terms of history as we think about what president obama should be thinking about for his second term. what would you put top of the list? >> well i think it's important for this president during his second term, to -- comprehensive immigration law. we must bring the individuals that are living here in america, out of the shadow into the light. and set them on a path to citizenship, we must do that, you know, he's been inaugurated as we celebrate, and commemorate the legacy of martin luther king jr. dr. king would have us to do that. do what is right. what is fair, and what is just. he must lead this country and help lead the world for a more peaceful place. >> take us back 50 years, miss evers-williams. i think in a very bitterly

divided congress people feel often -- look at the polls, people feel angry, hostile, and very divided about the direction that the country is going. so 50 years ago, was it worse? was it less divided? better? >> i think it was certainly divided. whether it was worse then, compared to now, i guess i would have to say yes, because so many lives were lost. and we know about that, and the challenges. but we still find little bits of that scattered throughout the country. >> what do you mean? >> well, my native state of mississippi, there have been killings there over the last year, that were certainly racial oriented. we can look at the hiring of jobs, we can look at people who wanted to vote and who had difficulty getting to the polls. what-not. it seems kind of changed. some of it remains the same.

>> voter suppression seems similar? >> and we mustn't forget that as a country and we have generation of young people many who are totally unaware of what happened in the '50s and the '60s. this man who is such a hero, for all of us. speaks just by his presence. to that time and what can be accomplished. in the future, and i think we have a good future coming ahead. and i hope to be able to say that. >> so much of the energy, so much of the sensation of this weekend four years ago was around the fact that barack obama had been elected the first black president of this country. how much of that sense still exists now four years later or how much of it is just part of the past and now we're moving on? >> i don't think it's part of the past and we're moving on. people are cherishing that and looking for the next four years to be stronger in terms of

action and inexclusiveness for all people. i think it's going to be a good four years. >> how do you bring the congressmen together. >> what is a thing that's going to make people who don't really seem to necessarily know each other, i was surprised when i heard that the other day from a senator. senator mansion i think said it how do you bring people not only to know each other, but to want to work toward a common goal? >> well many of us are trying to bring people together. one of the things that i'm doing as part of an organization called faith in politics, every first weekend in march, we take a group of democrats and republicans, leade erers of the house and senate on a trip. we take them to alabama, we take them to birmingham, to montgomery, to selma, we've been to mississippi and this march we're going to the university of alabama. 50 years ago. in the heart of the south we

still had literacy tests, people were asked to pay a poll tax. count the jelly beans in the jar. we want people to learn, so many young members of congress have been elected and they have commented. they don't have a sense of history. they need to be able to walk in the footsteps of another generation. >> would dr. king look down on this day and say i'm proud of where the country is or would he say what a distance the country still has to go. >> i don't know whether we would agree on this. but i think he would challenge us about the distance we have yet to go. and to do innovative things, you mentioned the programs and things of bringing people back to the south. we have established the medgar evers institute with the hope that reaching out into colleges and high schools all across the country, that people will learn about that time and find ways in which they can strategize to

move us forward technologically, anyway. >> so that's -- >> i would say dr. king would be very proud and very pleased at the distance we have come. but i agree, we would still have a distance to travel, there's too much violence, too many killings, we've got to end the violence and we've got to teach our children and those us not so young the way of peace, the way love, the way of nonviolence. he would say do something about the proliferation of guns in our society. congressman lewis and miss evers-williams, thank you for being with us. it's such a pleasure and honor and talk to us on this weekend. >> well thank you so much and you mentioned age, speak for yourself. >> thank you. >> she's 20. >> i'm holding at 21. >> what an honor to have both of you here today. hundreds of thousands are pouring in for the festivities.

among them dozens and dozens of celebrities. >> one of them, singer cyndi la lauper who will be sitting on the inaugural platform. she'll talk about it after this short break. where is flo? anybody know where flo is? are you flo? yes. is this the thing you gave my husband? well, yeah, yes. the "name your price" tool. you tell us the price you want to pay, and we give you a range of options to choose from. careful, though -- that kind of power can go to your head. that explains a lot. yo, buddy! i got this. gimme one, gimme one, gimme one! the power of the "name your price" tool. only from progressive. five days later, i had a massive heart attack. bayer aspirin was the first thing the emts gave me. now, i'm on a bayer aspirin regimen. [ male announcer ] be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen.

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but it really isn't just about the fun. were you invited here by the house minority leader, nancy pelosi, explain that to me? >> i'm a huge fan of hers, she's fought for the middle class, she's foutd for women. and we're still not there yet with the equal pay thing. but at least now we can sue for it. and she's fought for kids, for education. she was behind helping the don't tell abolishing the don't ask don't tell. i'm really hopeful for the next four years, honestly. because i think the republicans

might derail the president, and every step he tries to take. because it's almost like they want him to fail. they just try to make him fail and when you make your president fail, you make our country fail and the people elected him. i mean not just by a little, a lot. so that's the voice of the people. so let's get on the people wagon and make the country a great country again. you said the things most interesting to you and most important to you are being a musician and being an activist. especially when you're fighting for equality. have you seen some great strides. >> at least our president evolved. you don't always have a president that evolved. evolution is great. because information, sometimes you don't have the information. so to me, that's great. like you know, the gun control thing. listen, nobody wants to take all your guns away. but is there a reason why you need a 30-bullet you know,

magazine? instead of a ten, come on, who are you, rambo? the kids want to feel safe, they don't want to feel like they're going to school, afraid of rambo? >> when did you become political. >> i'm not. what am i supposed to do, be quiet about everything? if you're singing to people and you see the discrepancy, you've got to say something. >> you don't seem like the quiet type. one of the issues you speak most loudly about is gay rights. >> yes. >> a lot has been done the last now years. >> the president has changed his position. what is there left to do. >> i'm working on the 40 to none project and senator kerry has a reconnecting, i don't know, reconnecting the families act. >> on any given year, 1.6 million homeless people.

up to 40% of them are gay or transgender. only 3% to 5% of the overall national youth identify as gay or transgender. so that means those kids are either run aware, getting thrown out of their homes just because they're gay or transgender. that's a problem. because that's a fixable problem. so that means we don't put them in some family therapy to work it out. you know what, the street is a tough place. and no matter how tough you think you are, the streets are tougher. and they start from 12. you can't do that. these are kids, come on. >> the supreme court is going to take up the defense of marriage act. do you think that the nation is moving on this issue? whether you're talking about transgender kids, d.o.m.a. defense of marriage. do you think the nation is slowly shifting? >> i think regular people don't care if two people consenting

adults of the same sex want to get married. why can't they join the lot of us and be just as miserable as everybody else. >> you're going to be sitting up there on platform during the inauguration, what does that mean? >> i'm going to start crying. from watching it on tv, ever since i was little. it was nancy, leader of the nancy pelosi, she's the one that invited me. she wanted me to see it. i'm so blown over by it. >> what do you want to hear him say. in his inaugural address. people have been talking about it and dressing about it. what would you like to hear his message be. >> he said a lot of things that i'm glad he said. i would like to see the republicans stop trying to drag the president down. i've never seen anything like it in my life. i mean it's not, it's just, they want him to fail. but if they do that, they want us to fail. the whole country. and that looks bad for the whole world. we could be a great country. we're together.

come on. you got to work together. bend a little like a willow. you know what i'm saying? you can't all be onesided. so i think the president said a lot of great things. can we back him up? i'm thrilled. i love the guy. he tries hard, he never gives up. his wife is really bright. will spoken. i'm blown away. i want to see everybody get on the same bandwagon. that's like moving forward. and supporting the guy. don't you think so? i'm just talking -- >> i think you're going to have a great weekend here. >> i think you're having a great time already. >> i was out last year, i was walking, i had the purple ticket. which never quite got through. >> the one with all the people. >> it was very funny. >> then everybody said cut in front of the lynn and tell them who you think you are. every time i did. they said, my manager was going, why not cindy lauber and they would look at me and think, i'm here with thelma houston.

>> it's nice to have you with us this afternoon. congratulations on getting, nabbing a great seat tomorrow. history -- >> that's one of those bucket lists, you never get to do that. >> thanks for being here. one of the thousands of excited people here, many of them behind us, who are no doubt thrilled to see you up here. everyone a big cyndi lauper fan. we'll have more from washington. we're talking to some folks who are out there on the mall, just ahead. aww man. [ male announcer ] returns are easy with free pickup from the u.s. postal service. we'll even drop off boxes if you need them. visit usps.com pay, print, and have it picked up for free. any time of year. ♪ nice sweater. thank you. ♪

by the second, crowds are growing. people everywhere from around the world to be share and be part of the 57th inauguration. >> and suzanne malveaux, our colleague, is in the thick of the things on mall. suzanne, the weather is helping you out with all the crowds around you. >> it's so enthusiastic out here. it's amazing, all the different folks from all over the country here. one of the things that i am always struck by is what people buy, what they can get with obama, you've got the obama poster. i know you're an aka. tell me about, you got the scarf where are you from? >> huntsville, alabama. >> second time. >> first time.

>> first time, what are you looking forward to? >> what am i looking forward to? >> just seeing the president, seeing everything. >>. >> you'll see him up close, you got tickets? >> no. this -- this is sean and you got to see shawn's jacket. show us your jacket. this is the front. president of the united states, show us the back. show us the back. saun. okay. >> so, sean that is amazing, where did you get this? >> at my barber shop, i have a guy who does airbrushing and he made this jacket for me. >> did he charge you for it or did he just give it to you. >> we worked some things out. >> when you wear this, what's the reaction? >> people take pictures of the jacket or take pictures with the jacket. >> must mean a lot to you to wear the jacket. >> he does. >> how so? >> he's very important president, he's making sure our country something turned around to benefit everybody. >> i want to go to this gentleman here.

you're from washington state part of a political group, why are you here? >> i'm here with friends and our school. and what we're doing is we came to washington, d.c., we're part of this close-up organization where we can meet people around the globe and experience d.c. and get the full experience because you learn the political process and get to see everything with your friends, family and people around the globe. >> i know we're running out of time. we're going to do it quick. scene-setter here. show all the folks who have come out as well. >> woo! >> look how many suzanne malveaux fans there are in washington right now. >> that's elijah. ravens fan. that is so great. thanks, suzanne, appreciate it. of course the first family is getting set for another four years in the white house. >> the privilege comes with a lot of pressure. just ahead, we're tall to former staff member who worked for michelle obama. what will the first lady's focus be in the second term? [ nyquil bottle ] hey tylenol, you know we're kinda like twins. [ tylenol bottle ] we are?

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so from 2008, really until now, the world saw first lady

michelle obama evolve. katie mccormick was the first lady's communications director and press secretary until the summer of 2011. >> she's here to give us a preview of what we can expect from the first lady for the next four years. it's great to have you with us. >> it's so nice to be here, thank you for including me. >> we've seen many people weighing in on the first lady and often it's about her fashion or talking a little bit about her hair. about what she's done in terms of military families, what she's been able to do in terms of focusing on health and wellness have been big steps. do you expect to see the same thing and more in the next four years. >> when we were starting our strategic planning in 2009, the let's move campaign. the goal was it reduce childhood obesity in a generation. a 30-year struggle, a 30-year fight. we've seen some major successes in the last few years in terms of awareness, getting parents and teachers involved. planting community gardens. we have a long way to go she's

keeping the level of commitment for that. for supporting military families who have unique needs across the country. and i would imagine she would not only stay focused on those two, but what else she might add to her plate. >> so much of the focus is on fashion or what she's wearing. does it ever get frustrating when you're working inside the office when people call and say, what about her hair, what about the dress? >> we understood the fascination. the reality is she's a working woman, a working mom. when she wore j. crew people got excited. so we would certainly share that, we understand that. but the reality is she's a harvard-educated, harvard law, princeton educated woman. she's a smart cookie and she's working hard. we would try to keep our focus on the substance. the single biggest precedent i ever worked with was on the introduction of the dog. >> people love the fashion. jodi cantor has a new article out in the "new york times" and

she describes the obamas as a couple, but mrs. obama specifically sort of in a way more in the bubble than she even was she she started this whole journey four years ago, do you think that's the case. in some ways she's recognized that she's got to keep her close friends closer and it's hard to bring people into that bubble with her? >> when she was on the south side of chicago, she loved running errands to target. running errands is a little more difficult. she's very aware of her footprint. a few years ago when she was planning a family vacation out west. she recognized that so were other families. so it might be a huge inveengs to many other families planning vacations to national parks. she senses that. so she does, she does, that they have incredible friends, they do keep friends and family close, special times like tomorrow when so many people can join them, or even more special. >> she was very ambivalent about the president, running for the presidency. she and i sat down and we said

very clearly in her interview years ago. has that changed. how has she transitioned into her role today, that's different from four years ago. >> she said herself, at that time, you know, she, he was her husband and the father of her kids. and so having him continuing to be out and about, as a citizen she knew there was no better person for the job than her husband and she simply couldn't stand in the way of having a man like him as our president. >> what's she like as a boss? what are her characteristics as an employer? >> she's an outstanding boss. >> she's actually an outstanding boss, she's nurturing, she's encouraging, she's serious business, she made us all sit up a little straighter. bring out our best work. you want to do well. and you know, do your best when you're working for her. >> let me ask you about sasha and malia. my daughters are roughly the same age, they've watched with great interest every single thing the girls do in the white house. how has she been able to both protect them and also they are

hauled out for events clearly, i mean they're the family and it's the inauguration that must be a very tricky line. i think for any parent on any kind of spotlight. >> we would build our schedules around their schedules. so it wasn't until they indicated we're good, we're happy, we're whole, we love our friends, that we started getting out more and more with public events, they have the right to participate, you now, for example, the entertainment evenings that are hosted at the white house, the social events, if the girls want to come down, they're welcome to, if they don't, if they've got something else going on. it's up to them and the family rules help keep them all in that routine. >> did they go to most of them? >> sure. why wouldn't you? >> yeah. >> beyonce will be there. >> come on, man. >> you live up the store, you get to do that stuff. >> you got another four years of the store. and the girls are getting bigger, it will be interesting to watch them. they're beautiful girls, it's been fun to watch them as a parent. to watch them grow and blossom into young ladies. it's really been a wonderful thing and my kids still want to

have play dates, i'm like, that's not happening. it's nice to have you with us. we appreciate your time. >> nice to see you both. this weekend is about parties, concerts, celebrities, who's going to be where and who will be performing. >> and wearing what? >> everything you need to know about the inauguration social scene coming up next. in a first of its kind partnership with walmart, humana medicare plans now include 5% savings on great for you healthier foods at walmart! it's part of the vitality healthyfood program... and one more way humana medicare can help you choose what's good for your health and your wallet. so you can spend a little less money... and spend a little more time sharing what you know with the people who matter most. humana. ♪

such a beautiful view, that's where the action will be happening tomorrow. tonight we're going to see all kinds of unofficial balls and parties. the ladies will be stepping out in their glamorous dress and tomorrow night, the men will in their tuxes, they'll be hitting the dance floor 0 show off all their moves. >> i would die and pay a lot of money to see you do that. >> i'm a very good dancer. >> amy artsinger writes the reliable arts column. last time the president raced around to ten inaugural balls, that won't happen this time. >> there are only two official balls and they are all contained in the washington convention center. however, those two balls will include about as many as 40,000 guests altogether. so you know, about as many as you might have at six or seven balls, but all in one place.

however, the convention center is so big, i think the obamas will have to get back in their limo. but there will be dancing at every level. >> 40,000 people, that's quite a party. >> yoe if it's even a party. it's more like a convention. it's a gathering, it's a happening. >> what will people wear, what is it like? what kind of food do they serve? >> you better eat first, you'll probably want to eat later, it's like snacks. finger foods, it's not a real meal. this is not an elegant sit-down dinner. >> people think of these things like glamorous, what i remember is a lot of waiting i don't ut side in very cold weather in a ball gown with a jacket that someone might steal from you because nowhere to put it. >> there's been horror stories of coats getting lost at coatchecks, long lines at coat checks, bathrooms. it's not a glamorous thing. people want to buy the best fanciest dress and put on their dancing shoes, this is not the night to do it you want to wear flat shoes, it's going to be a lot of walking.

>> beyonce four years ago, who's the line-up this year? >> i wish you had told me you're going to ask me that. joj lend. >> he's going to be there. >> and beyonce. >> she's coming back to perform. >> they've got a number of people performing, singing tomorrow night. >> tomorrow night. >> that will be exciting. i can't wait for the big party. there are a lot of official parties. also unofficial ones, too. any sense the hottest unofficial one is? >> a bunch of balls and parties focused around infinity groups, you have got the green ball tonight. you have got the ambassador's ball tomorrow night. you've got -- >> i'm going to the victory ball tomorrow night. >> the victory ball tomorrow night. >> the b.e.t., the buzz of a late afterparty rahm emanuel doing tomorrow night. the creative coalition gala tomorrow night. so many different things. i think it is whatever you can get yourself into where you don't have to spend too much money is the secret. >> that is the secret. nice tough, amy. appreciate it. >> nice to see you. after a very divisive

campaign and battle over the fiscal cliff what can the president do now to unite the country? >> former bush white house spokesman ari fleisher will join us with advice for president obama. that's ahead. >> i bet he has some advice. ♪ hi dad. many years from now, when the subaru is theirs... hey. you missed a spot. ...i'll look back on this day and laugh. love. it's what makes a subaru, a subaru. try the #1 gastroenterologist recommended probiotic. align. align naturally helps maintain digestive balance. ♪ ooh, baby, can i do for you today? ♪ try align today.

welcome back, everybody, you are watching cnn's coverage of the 2013 inauguration. as barack obama starts his second term what does he need to do to mend fences with republicans in washington, d.c.? >> we will put that question to ari fleisher, the press secretary to george w. bush in the first term. ari, what does he need do? >> it is a question of genuineness. does he genuinely want to work with republicans, split with democrats on fiscal issues, mostly entitlement related. if he indicates a real willingness to do it i think republicans have to cooperate f he puts up walls and fights, we are in for the same thing we have been through the past few

years. >> i think a big deal what the house leadership has done by essentially offering extend the let death limit debate for three months here, it feels like it changes -- let me pose the question, do you think it changes the tenor of this weekend and the tenor of the first few weeks of the president's second term? >> first few weeks. not this weekend it is special and different than the daily politickers this grinding out here. republicans save themselves from themselves. the debt limit is the republican's enemy. the sequester, the so-called cuts to the pentagon, hospitals and doctors, are their friend. if republicans try to make their final stand on spending too reduce spending by going after debt limit, they will fail. it's too blunt an script. they were very smart to push that down the road and stand on a more routine understandable spending fight and engage the president over that. that's called the sequester. >> we hear a number, sometimes as many as 15 or 20 items on the president's to-do list how much would you rank step in gun control has moved from being nowhere he cared about to now

being front and center. also have of course, the spending fight we are going to have. we have immigration. we have, you know, van jones was talking about green jobs. we thought maybe the environment was going to maybe not make the list at all. >> i go back what the president said in his first inaugural address he talked about the time of putting off unpleasant decision that time has surely passed. the most unpleasant decision is the country is going broke and we need to save our children and we need to save the next generation it is becoming, the demographic changes of america is what is driving it even more than spending decisions are and the task of whoever is president in this era to deal with the underlying demographic issues we face and entitlements. we don't do that we will continue to have a low-growth economy with high unemployment. got to get our fiscal house in order. to me that is the biggest of all. >> havens, do you think, given the president any genuine sign they are willing to work with him? >> well, the decision to postpone a fight over the debt limit, that, of itself, was. they saved themselves from

themselves, which i believe. but also a recognition the president has the upper hand on some things, can't fight him on everything. republicans need to be smarter. so, that was one sign right there, republicans are doing it. i also think if the senate can pass a birnlgt the house will have to act and then a real test of where the republicans are going to actually compromise at the end of the day. and i was at the republican retreat in williamsburg and i did an address to all house republicans and said your fight is not with john boehner, your fight is with james madison. he wrote this system this is the government we have. if you believe in the constitution, we have division of power. tough work within that to get an agreement. >> so, then frame that for me as words in a speech tomorrow that the president's delivering. he has to say -- >> the speech tomorrow should be the big picture above it all, should not be specific policies. save it for the state of the union that is a more plebeian speech. the power of the inaugural speech, what you want to in your

president. >> ari fleisher, nice to have you this afternoon. >> great to be here. >> so great to be here with you, of course, i'm john berman. >> thank you. >> thank you so much for joining us this special coverage of president obama's inauguration. >> of course, i'm soledad o'brien. our special coverage continues all afternoon. don lemon's going to be up next with more from here in washington, d.c. ♪ [ male announcer ] when we built the cadillac ats from the ground up to be the world's best sport sedan... ♪ ...people noticed. ♪ the all-new cadillac ats -- 2013 north american car of the year. ♪ for a limited time, take advantage of this exceptional offer on the all-new cadillac ats.

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